Colorado’s mighty Breckenridge Ski Resort is so big it already occupies 2,208 acres on four linked mountains. Especially impressive is the summit of its Peak 8 quad, which is North America’s highest chairlift, at almost 13,000 feet.

Nearly 2 million skiers and snowboarders hit the slopes at Breckenridge each winter.

The resort, which soars above the historic town of Breckenridge, will be even bigger for the 2013-14 season. That’s because Peak 6 will open, with 408 acres of lift-served terrain and 143 acres of hike-to terrain. (The four mountains already operating are numbered 10, 9, 8 and 7.)

Also planned is a new high-speed, six-person chairlift that will soar to a 12,300-foot summit, and a fixed-grip chairlift that will provide skiers and snowboarders with access from the adjacent Peak 7 slopes.

No additional facilities — such as day lodges, hotels, mountain coasters, etc. — will be permitted on Peak 6’s acreage.

“Peak 6, which is located within Breckenridge Resort’s special use permit boundary, is the first ski terrain expansion on U.S. Forest Service land in Colorado since 2008,” says Kristen Pettit, the ski area’s communications manager.

Breckenridge is about 100 miles west of Denver International Airport. Regular van shuttles link the airport with the ski resort and the 150-year-old town, which offers a wide selection of lodging.

British Columbia

Does skiing straight down a steep, icy mountain chute at 110 mph sound like fun?

It does to 50 of the world’s fastest men and women ski racers from 10 nations. They will compete Thursday through March 3 down the Headwalls Speed Track at Sun Peaks Resort in British Columbia for the coveted 2013 International Ski Federation World Cup of Speed Skiing.

All racers will compete in skintight rubber suits, with special helmets and 8-foot-long skis.

Tourism Whistler has a more laid-back schedule of events, including the Yeti Snowshoe Series, the Sea to Sky Nordic Festival and the April 12-21 World Ski and Snowboard Festival.

Whistler Resort, which has 10,000 bedrooms among 24 hotels, townhouses, condos, B&Bs and chalets, is offering deals in March and April for all visitors. Visit whistler.com.

Around the West

New at Colorado’s Arapahoe Basin is its Elevation 3 Pass. That’s a three-day ski pass good anytime through the end of the current season. Costs start at $119 for adults and $89 for children 6 to 14. Guests can add three-day dining and rental vouchers.

Utah’s Snowbird Resort is featuring a Ski Free & Stay 5th Night Free package, with rates beginning at $125 a night per person for bedroom and studio units. The deal is valid until March 31.

A bid for the Winter X Games — broadcast worldwide by ESPN and most recently held in Aspen, Colo. — is being sponsored by the Lake Tahoe Sports Organizing Committee of California and Nevada.

The competitions would be conducted at Heavenly Mountain Resort or Squaw Valley. Events include such extreme sports as superpipe, big air/best trick, boarder cross, slope- style, snocross and freestyle snowmobiling. (Caleb Moore of Krum died in January after a snowmobile accident in the Aspen X Games.)

The Winter X Games attract 20,000 to 25,000 spectators a day.

Walt Roessing is a California freelance writer who specializes in ski coverage.